![3 Easy Lessons That Will Transform Your Children's Money Habits Today [plus 3 Lessons For Parents Included]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-1365930139.w320.jpg "3 Easy Lessons That Will Transform Your Children's Money Habits Today [plus 3 Lessons For Parents Included]")
2019-12-11 11:41
Living in Dubai, luxury doesn't surprise me.
Supercars, mansions and gold-plated everything abound.
But I worry about the impact this type of extravagance may have upon children.
Here's w… Read More
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alfred eisenstaedtacircthe
The voice of the only Corporate Chartered Financial Planners in the Middle East, AES International’s blog seeks to educate and inform expats with respect to pensions, savings and investments in the offshore marketplace. A key instrument of its mission of ‘Positive Change’, AES International’s blog tackles some of the toughest topics, often challenging the status quo maintained by international life companies and unscrupulous international financial advisers.
2019-12-04 05:45
Guest post from Robin Powell of The Evidence-Based Investor blog...
If there’s one thing that we’ve learned from more than 60 years of academic research...
It’s that… Read More
2019-12-02 11:06
One of the most important concepts for investors to grasp is compounding.
It’s the principle on which most great fortunes are built...
And it’s far more powerful than you might… Read More
2019-11-25 12:29
Quit the stock market at the top and buy back in again at the bottom.
It sounds great doesn’t it?
But while the temptation to try to time the market is considerable...
The reality r… Read More
2019-11-21 13:12
Guest post from Robin Powell of The Evidence-Based Investor blog...
Let’s face it, we love to save money.
We drive miles out of our way to save a few pennies on a litre of petrol… Read More
2019-11-20 08:15
Piggy-backing off my previous early retirement blog…
I’m taking a trip down memory lane to see what early retirement was like back in the day.
Want to see more?
In February… Read More
2019-11-03 09:15
If you follow me on social media or keep up with my blogs...
You'll know I often talk about the dangers of structured products.
My stance frequently riles up investors and financial advise… Read More
2019-10-23 12:45
Expats are saving less this year.
According to a recent survey...
49% of expats in the UAE save 5% or less of their salaries.
Only 16% have set retirement planning as a financial priority… Read More
2019-10-16 11:41
That’s it.
The end of one of the UK's most well-known ‘star manager’ funds is nigh.
Back in June, Woodford’s Equity Income fund was closed to withdrawals.
The goal… Read More
2019-10-09 07:20
I read a psychology blog the other day describing three types of mistakes people make.
The first is when you purposely take on risk to achieve a specific goal.
The second is the result of… Read More
2019-09-30 13:20
I've had many opportunities to share my thoughts on the idea of retiring early.
Just these past few weeks, newspapers, a radio station and a news channel reached out for a comment or… Read More
2019-09-26 12:54
Over the years, many investors have reached out with concern...
Encouraged by certain financial firms or rogue 'advisers' to transfer their pensions.
Understandably, they've been confused… Read More
2019-09-19 15:01
On a recent flight back to Dubai, I got talking to an oil and gas professional named Neil.
After discovering I was in financial services, he was all too eager to share his own experiences w… Read More
![How To Avoid The Silent Pension Killer [plus 2 Other Ways To Ensure You Don't Outlive Your Money]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-2414988611.w320.jpg "How To Avoid The Silent Pension Killer [plus 2 Other Ways To Ensure You Don't Outlive Your Money]")
2019-09-16 07:02
If you're nearing retirement, you probably have a lot on your mind.
What will you do with all that spare time?
How many holidays can you afford?
Will your money last, even if you live lon… Read More
2019-09-08 07:00
Last week I wrote about the uncertainty of investing.
About the many aspects that are out of our control.
Yet, adversely, there are so many things you can control...
And they all begin an… Read More
2019-08-30 07:45
I was watching Peaky Blinders the other night.
The latest episode takes place during the stock market crash of 1929.
The protagonist, Thomas Shelby, is upset about not withdrawing his mone… Read More
2019-08-23 06:16
Many investment scandals have crawled out of the woodwork recently.
Cases of investors losing their life savings to hidden commissions and toxic products have dominated news headlines.
Inv… Read More
2019-08-22 07:45
In life, nothing’s certain…
Not your job, your health, your lifestyle, nor the money in your bank.
But like death and taxes, one thing is for sure…
You need a plan.
O… Read More
2019-08-15 11:35
Ever heard of an investing black hole?
Essentially, your money is sucked in…
And never seen again.
Don’t believe me?
Read this client’s story.
Hawking, Einstein and… Read More
2019-08-08 13:19
Go to bed smarter than when you woke up.
That’s the Buffett formula.
The world’s greatest investor once gave students the following advice:
“Read 500 pages a day. Tha… Read More
2019-08-05 08:00
The complexity of expat finances is one of the biggest challenges for expats moving abroad.
According to HSBC’s Expat Explorer Survey 75% of respondents (21,950 respondents worldwide)… Read More
2019-07-31 13:31
This morning I flicked through Sky News on my iPhone…
While waiting in line at Starbucks.
In 10 minutes, I interacted with 3 companies on the stock market.
There’ll be hundre… Read More
2019-07-26 09:02
The Internet has made all of our lives easier.
In some ways, it’s made it harder.
With the vast expanse of information readily available…
It can feel impossible to decipher w… Read More
2019-07-18 11:24
Questioning is critical.
The right ones can change your life.
And improve your odds of long-term investment success.
Here are just a few insider secrets.
John spent his life in t… Read More
![30 Years Of Investment Excuses, that The Market Happily Ignored [infographic]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-964332440.w320.jpg "30 Years Of Investment Excuses, that The Market Happily Ignored [infographic]")
2019-07-15 10:17
Every year, global events shape our countries…
Our economies.
But happily ignoring these events,
(in term of our investments, at least),
Is the best course of action.
After all… Read More
2019-07-10 11:34
"Market data doesn't lie. So we've made a crucial decision. We're not going to try and win a few hands - we're going to own the casino" - Matt Hall
I love this quote by Matt Hall in his boo… Read More
2019-07-09 07:46
I watched a powerful video over the weekend.
Watched by almost 8 million others - it’s just 2.44 mins long…
It sums up how important your time is.
And how the decisions you m… Read More
2019-07-04 11:42
I recently overhead a client ask:
“Am I going to be okay?”
Like many of our clients, he was a ‘HENRY.’
High Earning Not Yet ‘Rich’.
OR at least not ri… Read More
2019-06-30 13:14
Outguessing market prices.
Picking the next winner.
Finding a truly undervalued investment.
All proponents of the traditional approach to investing…
Yet all, according to evidence… Read More
2019-06-27 11:44
In case you missed it.
This week I mentioned 4 key factors that either make an adviser ‘worth it’ or not.
Here’s the next set.
And surprisingly, they are all about YOU… Read More
2019-06-25 12:26
Another great question from a reader.
Let’s be honest, it’s what we’re all thinking.
It’s one of THE most important questions when it comes to financial advice.
So… Read More
2019-06-16 10:52
Many of us own property back home.
Some of us have mortgages on our expat homes too.
While most expats rent...
Emotionally, it often feels we should be buying.
Which one leaves us financ… Read More
2019-06-13 12:11
It’s mind boggling active investing still survives.
Despite all the studies proving its underperformance.
Yet many investors choose to miss out on new opportunities.
Adamant that a… Read More
2019-06-11 13:48
A few days ago, a client emailed my colleague.
He assumed we’re incentivised to sell Dimensional Funds…
Acting as ‘estate agents’ earning fees from both landl… Read More
2019-06-04 08:00
With technology taking over most areas of our lives…
Are robo-advisers taking over financial services?
I doubt it.
I remember when robo-advisers launched in the UK.
There was gr… Read More
2019-06-02 10:52
Most people have heard of value investing.
Warren Buffett became a billionaire following this strategy.
But new research shows the names of many value funds are misleading.
And not all va… Read More
2019-05-29 08:13
Investors generally want two things from their adviser.
To maximise returns.
And achieve their life’s ambitions.
But most clients also want something else.
Something just as import… Read More
2019-05-23 11:46
This week, a reader asked this very question.
And I know why.
It’s against our nature to sit back and do nothing.
As investors, when markets are volatile…
We feel… Read More
2019-05-22 10:34
Brexit has everyone in a tailspin.
UK nationals living in other countries feel especially vulnerable.
The uncertainty regarding their futures…
Not to mention UK pensions&hell&hell…Read More
2019-05-16 12:32
The second leading cause of divorce is…
MONEY!
Whether it’s asymmetric earnings or excessive spending habits…
Money problems are marriage killers.
What can be done to… Read More
![Can I Trust My Financial Adviser? [video]](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-2172293053.w320.jpg "Can I Trust My Financial Adviser? [video]")
2019-05-14 13:36
It’s no secret.
There is a huge trust deficit in my profession.
And with good reason.
Historically, ‘financial genocide’ against expatriates had been commonplace&helli&hell…Read More
2019-05-07 13:52
£10 million is a lot of money.
For most, it seems impossible to accrue.
But it can be done…
With discipline and a plan of action.
In 2011 my good friend, Andrew Hallam, wr… Read More
2019-05-02 09:47
Many investors yearn for face-to-face advice.
Personalised service from someone they can ‘trust’.
Evolution makes us this way.
But it also makes us bad investors.
Here’… Read More
2019-04-25 10:56
“Expect the best. Prepare for the worst.”
That’s the advice I give clients.
No one knows what the future holds…
But there are ways to mitigate the impact of a dow… Read More
2019-04-22 08:47
My grandmother trusted a stockbroker in a pin-striped suit.
My parents, a ‘charismatic IFA’ who’d visit their house or meet my father at his office or golf club.
Nei… Read More
![“I Currently Have Money Invested Through [XXXXXXX] But My Portfolio Isn’t Performing Well. Can You Tell Me Why?â€](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/4811/481062-2940089894.w320.jpg "“I Currently Have Money Invested Through [XXXXXXX] But My Portfolio Isn’t Performing Well. Can You Tell Me Why?â€")
2019-04-11 11:06
One late spring afternoon, this question arrived by LinkedIn message.
It joined the deluge of others.
From expats with ambitious dreams for the future who were similarly frustrated.
If no… Read More
2019-04-09 10:33
Most fields outside of academia are a balance of science and art.
Including investing.
It’s human and emotional.
Yet based on data, years of research and evidence.
Who disagrees?… Read More
2019-04-04 12:52
A few days ago, I posted about active, passive and Dimensional funds.
Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) are known for being “the world’s largest fund company you have probab… Read More
2019-03-28 10:30
This morning, a ‘precious metals' conference was promoted on the radio.
Lots of ‘experts’ making wild predictions.
I’m tired of the media portraying gold as a good… Read More
2019-03-25 15:37
I love an analogy.
Especially one which relates to finance.
I recently read a great one which explains volatility.
If that’s a part of investing you find discomforting…
Perh… Read More
2019-03-21 14:01
I’m testing some Facebook ads right now.
The image shows me on a tank.
Someone commented,
"What does the military have to do with investing?".
Quite a lot, actually.
Here are &hell…Read More
2019-03-19 12:58
As expats, we’re often torn between renting and owning.
Everything from cars to property.
I touched on the latter last week.
Today, let’s talk cars.
You’ve just moved… Read More
2019-03-14 12:46
This post may contradict most things you know about financial services.
But it’s an attempt to reveal the truth about a broken model.
Hopefully, it will help get you better results… Read More
2019-03-13 13:50
In the markets, history rarely repeats itself.
Past performance is not a true indicator of future returns.
(Although the media and public may say otherwise).
This is the truth you need to… Read More
2019-03-07 11:43
Few people enter financial services with the express purpose of enriching people’s lives…
Traditionally it attracts ‘mercenaries’ not ‘missionaries’.
B… Read More
Got Your Eye On Property? Stop And Read This Before You Even Think About Signing On That Dotted Line
2019-03-05 12:24
House prices are now falling.
Great news if you’re in the market for one.
And good news if you think people could do with being a little less property-obsessed.
Most investors still… Read More
2019-02-28 11:27
Risk and volatility sometimes get confused.
(By financial industry insiders too).
While one’s scary, and the other risky…
They don’t have the same consequences on your… Read More
2019-02-26 13:17
Last month, we lost Jack Bogle.
I can’t help but reminisce about the lessons I learned from him.
He’s had the biggest impact on investors around the globe.
Here are 11 reasons… Read More
2019-02-20 11:14
Hidden costs are toxic.
And while many countries are taking steps to reduce them…
Investors are not completely out of the woods.
Here’s why.
Costs have become more importa… Read More
2019-02-19 11:19
‘Why did I say that?’
‘Why did I do that?’
Are you an overthinker?
You’re not alone.
And there’s help.
Contrary to problem-solving…
(… Read More
2019-02-14 14:31
It’s all too easy to ignore the small print.
To gloss over the detail and hear the things you want.
Time to stop and think.
Are well concealed charges eating away at your returns li… Read More
2019-02-11 13:51
$500,000 a year is an enviable salary.
Around AED1.8 million.
14 times the UK average.
But it’s still not enough for one couple to pay their bills.
Spending less than you e… Read More
2019-02-06 11:02
As a campaigner for positive change in global investing…
I make it my mission to follow those advocating for the same.
Robin Powell is a financial journalist whose sentiments so oft… Read More
2019-02-05 13:13
“Think different.”
One of Apple’s most memorable advertising slogans…
Also applies to the way we observe self-made millionaires and how billionaires han… Read More
2019-01-31 14:30
I love a good podcast.
Especially one on my favourite topic – financial planners.
It’s why I want to share this one about the 7 benefits a good planner brings.
And it d… Read More
2019-01-30 10:29
No one likes to think about mortality.
Last week, I published a blog asking how old you’ll be when you die…
(And some didn’t like it).
But the reality is harsh and unav… Read More
2019-01-24 10:11
1 in 3 people born today will live to over 100.
The smoker sitting opposite has now made 23 days ‘clean’.
Everyone is living longer.
We all want to know how long we’ll l… Read More
2019-01-20 09:25
Legendary Vanguard founder, John (Jack) Bogle, died of cancer on Wednesday, at the age of 89.
The father of index investing.
Bloomberg says investors have a trillion reasons to thank… Read More
2019-01-17 10:51
We all have our own retirement dreams…
That idyllic stage of our lives when you can do the things you want…
As long as your income supports it.
But what happens if you run o… Read More
2019-01-15 08:18
Human beings are prone to biases.
Tim Richards, behavioural expert and blogger, says they can wreck investments.
One may be particularly important to understand this year...
Given 2018&rs&hell…Read More
2019-01-10 08:35
A lot can happen in a year.
The Earth orbits the Sun.
130 million babies are born.
And the stock market proves (yet again)…
Why we cannot possibly predict what’s yet to come… Read More
2019-01-07 12:12
New year…
New goals, right?
But how often do we fulfil them, especially the financial ones?
Find out below…
(Along with a few interesting ideas to guide you financially in… Read More
2019-01-03 08:45
A New Year brings new goals.
If investing is on your list of resolutions…
A good place to start is with some basics.
The lingo.
If you’ve ever scanned the business headlin… Read More
2019-01-02 09:52
If you aren’t already a lover of podcasts…
Do yourself a favour and hop on the bandwagon.
If, like me, time is something you lack…
But you are always hungry to learn&h&hell…Read More
2018-12-23 10:35
Following on from last week’s blog…
Discussing the 4 types of financial advisers…
Here’s the next step…
Actually choosing one…
With insight from f… Read More
2018-12-20 11:24
What’s in a name?
In financial services, a lot actually.
Identical labels, job titles and service descriptions often mean completely different things.
Making it extremely difficult… Read More
2018-12-19 08:17
I’m about to tell you the most remarkable story.
I’m sure you’ve never heard it.
It’s an incredible tale of perseverance.
With an important message for investors… Read More
2018-12-13 08:54
I like to think of myself as a rational person…
But I’m not.
None of us are, in fact.
As humans, we are irrational and make mental errors.
Here are 5 of the most important o… Read More
2018-12-10 09:03
Investing is an essential part of any financial plan.
But it confounds me that many people don’t do it…
Keeping their money out of the market for a variety of reasons…… Read More
2018-12-06 12:40
Twitter remains one of my favourite platforms.
I get up-to-the-minute information on all my favourite topics.
(Finance being my number 1 of course).
Here are some of my favourite financia… Read More
2018-12-05 12:27
When your working years come to an end…
And your employer’s no longer subsidising things like healthcare…
Phone bills and wellness memberships…
How much will yo… Read More
2018-12-04 13:52
I’m intrigued by people who lead seemingly simple lives…
Yet travel the world and take long holidays…
That I envy from behind my work desk.
How do they do it?
I&rsq&hell…Read More
2018-11-29 10:05
When a fund management company launches a new fund…
They often do so to a lot of fanfare…
With advertisements and media coverage.
But that doesn’t mean it’s a go… Read More
2018-11-28 13:22
Recently, I read a book titled: How to Think about Money
The final chapter was particularly interesting.
So I thought I’d share a summary of it…
In 10 simple points.
As a… Read More
2018-11-27 09:29
Warren Buffett swears by it.
Apparently, Einstein did too.
And it’s no wonder.
Because the returns are exponential.
In order to fully explain, I turn to nature.
And those amazin… Read More
2018-11-21 12:53
No one likes losing.
(Especially losing money).
In fact, science says we feel a loss more deeply…
Than we do a gain.
Do you agree?
Nearly 40 years ago…
Amos Tversky and… Read More
2018-11-20 10:23
There may be times when it pays to aim for perfection.
But investing isn’t one of them.
In fact, it’s counter-productive.
There is no single optimal portfolio.
It&rsq&hell…Read More
2018-11-15 13:37
When it comes to investing…
There are three strategies.
This is great for investors…
It means they can choose the one they’re most comfortable with.
But is your strat… Read More
2018-11-14 14:27
Fine wine…
Expensive artwork…
Classic cars…
Are these good investments?
Experts have analysed the returns on these ‘emotional assets’…
And have… Read More
2018-11-13 09:39
As investors, we all want a good investment experience.
The key to this is controlling what we can…
And accepting what we can’t.
I briefly touched on this last week.
Now for… Read More
2018-11-08 11:53
How often do you worry about things you can’t control?
Or things that don’t matter?
We’re all human at the end of the day…
But isn’t worrying simply irratio… Read More
2018-11-07 10:39
I’m often asked for a list of recommended reads.
I try to keep the more famous ones off the list…
As these appear in any simple online search.
Instead here are 7 underdogs&he&hell…Read More
2018-11-06 10:09
We’re in the longest bull run ever.
The stock market is at an all-time high.
No one knows when the tables will turn…
Including us.
But what happens when they do?
A bear m… Read More
2018-11-01 13:13
Josh Brown used to work on Wall Street.
He sold expensive active investment strategies.
After a few years he realised he was not actually helping investors…
He was only helping him… Read More
2018-10-31 14:36
Brits at home and overseas were glued to their screens this week…
As Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered his budget speech.
Here are the key points for UK expats…
And what t… Read More
2018-10-30 11:11
We all have financial obligations.
Our disposable income helps us to fulfil them.
So how do we allocate our money…
To prioritise between needs, wants and savings?
Elizabeth Warr… Read More
2018-10-25 11:59
Here are the answers to the most common questions we’re asked.
If you want a little insight into the US market performance…
Investing in FAANGs…
What makes Dimensional… Read More
2018-10-24 08:07
Remember the movie, The Matrix?
(How could you not).
The character, Neo, was given two choices – the blue pill or the red pill.
Now imagine the blue was money and the red, time.
Wh… Read More
2018-10-22 12:30
I’m always intrigued by stories of the world’s richest…
And how they built their wealth.
Have you heard about Ingvar Kamprad, founder of IKEA?
There’s much to lea… Read More
2018-10-18 12:24
Many people prefer video over text.
Not only is it quicker to consume…
The information is also easier to retain.
So huge is video now, that YouTube has over a billion users…… Read More
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